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Minister of Justice of Georgia Meets Deputy Prosecutor of the Hague International Criminal Court to Discuss Investigation of August War Crimes
Minister of Justice of Georgia, Rati Bregadze met today with the Deputy Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Nazhat Shameem Khan and talked about the investigation of August war crimes. Deputy Minister of Justice Beka Dzamashvili also attended the meeting.
At the meeting with the Deputy Prosecutor of the ICC, Rati Bregadze once again confirmed that the Georgian side is ready to cooperate closely with the Hague court within the framework of the investigation of the 2008 war. As a result of this successful cooperation, on June 30, 2022, the ICC issued an arrest warrant against 3 "high-ranking officials" of the Tskhinvali region for the episode of crimes committed against Georgian civilian prisoners during the August war.
Speaking to Nazhat Shameem Khan, Rati Bregadze emphasized the fact that the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights has already established the responsibility of the Russian Federation for crimes committed against civil and military personnel, such as: ethnic cleansing of Georgians in the Tskhinvali region; killing and torture of Georgian prisoners of war and civilians; Inhuman and degrading treatment.
The Minister of Justice of Georgia expressed hope that, following in the footsteps of the Strasbourg Court, the Hague Court, within its jurisdiction, will not leave without a legal response the facts that happened in the Tskhinvali region in August 2008, will impose appropriate punishment on all criminals and will make a significant contribution to the victims of war and crimes against humanity in the process of restoring justice.
At the end of the meeting, Rati Bregadze noted that ensuring state representation in international courts and consistent strategic litigation is a priority of the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice, as the coordinating agency for state representation in international courts, will continue to protect the national interests and sovereignty of Georgia in the Strasbourg and Hague courts in the future.